Barcelona-based European carrier Volotea has become a member of IATA (International Air Transport Association), which it says will enable it to benefit from the association’s leadership role within the aviation industry.
The airline, founded by CEO Carlos Muñoz and managing director Lázaro Ros (who both worked together at Vueling Airlines), has carried 15 million passengers since its first flight in 2012. Last year it transported over 4.8 million.
This year it has opened 58 new routes alone, now serving a total of 293 routes in Europe, and expects to carry between 5.7 and 6 million passengers by the end of 2018.
Volotea says it will benefit from IATA’s knowledge and resources covering all fields of the industry, including analysis of regulations, development of standards, innovation in distribution, improvements on safety procedures, updates and trainings for aviation industry professionals, as well as cost reduction. “We are pleased to become an IATA member, as this global association leads the innovation, safety and value creation in the airline industry, supporting the highest industry standards”, said Muñoz.
Rafael Schvartzman, IATA’s regional vice-president Europe, said: “Volotea is a new model airline with a clever and bold approach, which consists in creating demand and connectivity by establishing innovative routes. We are thrilled to welcome Volotea to the IATA family and to help them grow and excel in this highly competitive European market.”
Volotea currently operates from 12 bases: Venice, Nantes, Bordeaux, Palermo, Strasbourg, Asturias, Verona, Toulouse, Genoa, Bilbao, Marseille and Athens, using a fleet of 32 Boeing 717s and Airbus A319s. The carrier says the A319 is the aircraft model it has selected for its future growth.
